Flashlamp-pumped LiF crystal laser with stable F2+ color centers

Stimulated emission from an LiF crystal laser with stable F₂⁺ color centers was achieved for the first time as a result of flashlamp pumping. Two types of crystal, differing in respect of the growth technology and coloration method, had lasing thresholds of ~80J, maximum energies of the output pulses ~10mJ, and pulse durations 12μsec. The tuning ranges were 0.89–1.03 and 0.90–0.99μ. After a thousand pulses there was practically no change in the lasing efficiency.